Canada’s support in action: Advancing health and rights for women and girls in the United Republic of Tanzania

New York, United Nations – A recent high-level visit by the Honourable Randeep Sarai, Canada’s Secretary of State for International Development, to programmes of the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA) in the United Republic of Tanzania has cast a spotlight on the transformative impact of Canada’s support to women and girls.

The visit underscored Canada’s long-standing partnership with UNFPA, and its vital investments in maternal, adolescent, and sexual and reproductive health at a time when global solidarity faces unprecedented funding challenges. 

Transforming lives, protecting safe births

Over the past decade, Tanzania has made major strides in maternal, newborn and adolescent health in large part due to gains propelled by national leadership and sustained global partnerships. Canada’s contributions have been pivotal to this progress. 

Maternal mortality has dropped dramatically, from around 556 deaths per 100,000 live births in the reporting period from 2009 to 2016, to 104 deaths per 100,000 live births in the most recent period, 2015-2022. More women are delivering with skilled birth attendants, and adolescents have enhanced access to sexual and reproductive health services, HIV prevention, and services to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.

One driver of this success has been the Strengthening Midwifery In Tanzania (2023-2030) programme, which has benefitted from Can$11.75 million. The programme focuses on scaling up midwifery services, particularly in the region of Shinyanga and Dar es Salaam, as well as improving the quality of care and promoting respectful, life-saving maternity services.

Empowering adolescents through education and skills

The partnership with Canada is also supporting critical services and support to adolescents. 

At the ZIPOSA vocational training centre, for example, young people are gaining practical skills in carpentry, tailoring, hospitality, tourism and the beauty trade.

“Before this programme, I never imagined I could stand up and speak with confidence,” said Fatma Othman, 17, a youth advocate in Zanzibar. “Now, I am no longer afraid to talk about my body, my rights and my future. Every girl in Zanzibar deserves to know that she has the power to choose, to protect herself and to dream without limits.”

Young people are also benefitting from the integration of life skills education in secondary schools like the Mwera Pongwe Secondary School in Zanzibar, which was also visited by the delegation.

“Canada’s support is a strong pillar in our efforts to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and services they need to thrive,” said Hon. Lela Muhamed Mussa, Tanzanian Minister of Education and Vocational Training in Zanzibar. “Through these programmes, we are shaping a more empowered and resilient generation”.

Building a future with and for youth

Canada’s long-term commitment to youth-centred initiatives has been demonstrated through the GRREAT (2019-2024) and Kijana Imara (2024-2029) programmes, jointly implemented by UNFPA and UNICEF, which are providing access to critical health and nutrition services to over 740,000 adolescents across Tanzania.

These programmes have also launched youth-friendly clinics, national peer education and gender-based violence prevention guidelines, as well as digital innovations like “Mrejesho”, a WhatsApp chatbot currently used by over 6,000 young people. Youth networks, such as AfriYAN, are amplifying the voices of adolescents and driving peer-led change.

Expanding access to reproductive health commodities

Canada has also been a key partner in providing vital supplies into countries that needed them most. With over US$15.3 million invested to date through the UNFPA Supplies Partnership, Canada has been a top donor in ensuring access to family planning and reproductive health commodities around the world, including Tanzania. 

In 2025, Canada contributed through the Match Fund, an innovative financing mechanism driving sustainable domestic financing for reproductive health commodities.

“Canada’s support has been truly catalytic,” said Mark Bryan Schreiner, UNFPA’s Representative in Tanzania. 

“It’s not just about funding, it’s about a partnership that puts women, girls and young people at the heart of national development. These investments are helping Tanzania build a resilient, inclusive health system that will serve generations to come.”

As global development challenges grow more complex, partnerships like this one, rooted in shared values and sustained support, are proof that progress for women and girls is possible when solidarity is sustained.